The LSU women’s tennis team will take on Kentucky in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament at 2 p.m. today in Starkville, Miss.
The 14-seed Lady Tigers (8-15, 1-12 SEC) suffered several close losses over the course of the season, including a 3-4 defeat at the hands of the 11-seed Wildcats (13-11, 4-9 SEC) in the home opener March 3. In that match, LSU built up a 3-2 lead, only to see it slip away on the last two courts. LSU coach Julia Sell said LSU’s record does not tell the whole story of its season.
“Probably the most disappointing part [about this season] is we have had a lot of very winnable matches,” Sell said. “We have been so competitive. … We just haven’t gotten the ‘W.’”
The inability to clinch close matches has crippled the Lady Tigers this season, according to Sell, who still believes they could make some noise in the SEC Tournament. Senior Kaitlin Burns said they were excited when they saw how the bracket was set up.
“I think we have been given a really good draw,” Burns said. “Kentucky is a team we wanted to play and Vanderbilt is a beatable team for us. I think it gives all of us a lot of confidence.”
Because of their losing record, the Lady Tigers would have to win the SEC Tournament in order to make the field of the NCAA Tournament. And while that may not happen this year, Sell said LSU’s progress as a program cannot be overstated.
“For our players, every single one of them, the transformation from August to now is huge,” Sell said. “I’m really excited about next year, not just because of the recruiting class I have coming in, but also because of the returnees. … They have a clear understanding now of how much putting in work makes a difference [on the court].”
That recruiting class, ranked 16th in the country by Tennis Recruiting Network, is the highest-ranked class in program history. Added to the core of players returning, Sell said there is reason to look forward to next year’s campaign.
“Nobody likes to lose,” Sell said. “If there is anything that has come out of losing a lot this year, it’s that they are even more motivated.”
